Overview
- Experts say no ordinary appeals are available in Panama and any bid to pursue the case at the International Court of Justice would require action by Beijing.
- Advisers note a possible strategy of suing in neutral jurisdictions to target Panamanian assets, though sovereign-immunity defenses would likely pose major hurdles.
- China’s Foreign Ministry condemned the rulings and pledged to take necessary measures to safeguard the rights and interests of Chinese companies.
- Pro-Beijing newspaper Ta Kung Pao denounced the decision as politically driven, urged Hong Kong firms to avoid new investment in Panama, and called for compensation.
- The voided terminals were included in CK Hutchison’s proposed sale of 43 ports to a BlackRock–MSC consortium with a later invitation to COSCO, and the company’s shares fell after the ruling.